Task 1 READING
Read the text. For statements 1-6, choose 1 if the idea is TRUE, 2 if the idea is FALSE and 3 if the idea is not mentioned in the text (NOT STATED).
Charles Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) is one of the greatest English novelists. His novels and short stories are widely read today.
His family lived in London. His father was a clerk in an office. There were eight children in the family, so the life was hard. Dickens left school at the age of 12 to work in a factory, where he washed bottles. He worked ten hours a day and earned six shillings a week. After three years he returned to school, before he began his literary career as a journalist.
When he was 16, he started work for a newspaper. He became one of the best journalists. He also wrote short stories for magazines. His books became popular in many countries. He spent a lot of time abroad.
His many volumes include such works as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. His books are very interesting, they tell us about the hard life of the poor people in England of that time.
Dickens remains one of the best-known English authors.